Dr Henk Swanepoel has shared some important signs of dementia that friends and family can look out for. He explained that a particular late-stage sign could easily be overlooked
Dr Hilary lists the early symptoms of dementia
A top doctor has shared the physical signs of dementia which might go unnoticed – and can be spotted when someone is walking.
Almost one million Brits are currently living with dementia, with many patients displaying symptoms such as memory loss, or finding it difficult to complete certain tasks. But Dr Henk Swanepoel, lead psychologist at Cygnet Health Care, has stressed there are obscure signs that people don’t talk about as much. The expert highlighted a movement called “shuffling”, which is when the person might fall over repeatedly, or more than usual. “One might notice the person is shuffling when walking or at times behaviour such as slipping or falling can become more common,” he said.
According to Alzheimer’s Society, this action can be an indicator of late-stage dementia. The charity explained that the patient could be at an “increased risk of falls”. They further added: “At this stage they may walk more slowly, with a shuffle and less steadily – eventually they may spend more time in a chair or in bed.”
Unfortunately, reduced mobility can put the person at risk of other health issues such as blood clots and infections. “These can be very serious or even fatal so it is vital the person is supported to be as mobile as they can,” the charity stressed. How a person moves can also signal lewy body dementia – a specific type of slow-developing dementia that causes slow movement, stiff limbs and tremors (uncontrollable shaking), reports Express. Dr Swanepoel shared a few other physical signs of dementia and said: “Physically, a patient with dementia may present with slow movements, incontinence and swallowing difficulties. The deterioration results in significant care needs cognitively as well as physically.”
What to do if someone displays symptoms
If any signs of dementia are displayed by a loved one, Dr Swanepoel advises that you speak to a doctor or dementia clinic for a diagnosis and potential treatment. He continued: “Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, try and approach all behaviour as a form of communication or a message, for example, anger can be a message of confusion, fear or pain. “Try to identify triggers as soon as possible, e.g. a break in a person’s routine might cause upset. Distraction can be effective by focusing on what the person enjoys, such as going for a walk. A daily routine can also be very effective which creates structure and predictability.”
Early symptoms of dementia
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Struggling to carry out familiar tasks, such as difficulty handling cash in a shop
- Difficulty in understanding a conversation or being able to find the right words
- Becoming confused about time and place
- Changes in mood
